Switch mechanism



Dec. 27, 1955 STOLLE ET AL 2,728,822

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY 25 5'? 5m Dec.27, 1955 D. STOLLE ETAL 2,728,822

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United StatesPatent SWITCH MECHANISM Anthony D. Stalls and Robert B. Ellis, Chicago,lll., assignors to International Register Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application June 14, 1954, Serial No. 436,548 6Claims. (Cl. 206-38) Our present invention relates generally to switchmechanisms, and, more specifically, is directed to time switchmechanisms.

it is an object of our present invention to provide a time switchmechanism wherein an electrical circuit may be established between twonon-adjacent switch arms for a predetermined interval of time.

Briefly, in accomplishing the foregoing object, we provide a switchmechanism comprising a pair of non-adjacent switch arm means, andcurrent conducting means carried by a power driven revolvable member.The current conducting means in one range of rotation of the revolvablemember serves to engage simultaneously the pair of switch arm means forelectrically interconnecting the latter.

The mechanism of our present invention for electrically interconnectingtwo non-adjacent switch arms is particularly adapted for use in the timeswitch mechanisms which are disclosed and claimed in the copendingapplication of William P. Gallagher, Anthony D. Stolle, and Robert B.Ellis, Serial. No. 393,802, filed November 23, 1953.

The time switch mechanism of the aforedescribed copending applicationcomprises a cam having a track with an abrupt radial recess. The cam isrotated by power driven gear reduction means. in addition, the switchcornprises a primary switch arm which is mounted for movement into andout of engagement with a contact for establishing and di'sestablishingan electrical circuit. The primary switch arm is provided with apivotally floating cam follower which is en ageable with the cam trackfor urging the switch arm into engagement with the switch contact. Thefloating cam follower is receivable in the cam track recess, and uponleaving the cam track and entering the recess, instantaneously flips orpivots to effeet a quick break away of the primary switch arm fromengagement with the contact. By employing the combination of elementsjust described, arcing at the contact is eliminated and precise timingmay be obtained.

it is a further object of our present invention to provide a switchmechanism of the general character noted wherein an auxiliary circuitmay be established momentarily at a predetermined point in the timingcycle without interfering with the operation of the primary circuitmeans of the switch mechanism.

In accomplishing the latter object, we specifically pivotally mountlever means intermediate of its ends to the revolvable cam and secureinsulating means to the lever means. T he insulating means has a portionspaced from the end of the terminus of the lever means and projectsbeyond the edge of the latter alongside of the cam track recess. Whenthe cam follower moves into the cam track recess, it engages theinsulating means and pivots the other end of the lever means intoengagement with an auxiliary spring metal switch arm thereby preloadingthe latter through fiexure so that a spring force is maintained on thelever means. The cam follower upon further rotation of the cam moves oilof the insulating means, at

which time the preloaded auxiliary switch arm serves to snap pivot theadjacent end of the lever means toward the follower so as to insure aquick make of engagement between these elements, while the other end ofthe lever means remains in engagement with the auxiliary switch arm,whereupon the primary and auxiliary switch arms become electricallyinterconnected. Upon still further rotation of the cam, the cam followermoves out of engagement with the lever means, at which time thepreloaded auxiliary switch arm serves to snap pivot the lever means upand away from the follower so as to insure a quick break of engagementbetween these elements, whereupon the electrical interconnection.between the primary and auxiliary switch arms is interrupted. During theinterval of time that the secondary circuit is closed and opened theprimary switch arm remains in engagement with the contact. Thusoperation of the auxiliary circuit does not interfere with the operationof the primary circuit.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofconstructing and using time switches in accordance with the principlesof our present invention, we shall describe in connection with theaccompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of our present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the time switch mechanism of our presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the time switch mechanism ofFigure 1, with the cover member being broken away; and

Figures 3 through 11 illustrate various sequences of steps in theoperation of the time switch mechanism of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown the time switchmechanism of our present invention, indicated generally by the referencenumeral 10, which comprises a generally rectangular insulating member 12that provides support for the various elements of the switch mechanisms.

Formed in the upper half of the member 12 are spaced apart transverserectangular apertures 14, 16 and 13, which are arranged in ascendingstepped relation from left to right. An additional diagonal, rectangularaperture 19 is formed in the member 12 spaced to the right of theaperture 18. Staked or positioned in the apertures 14, 16, 18 and 19,respectively, are metallic terminal post members 20, 22, 24 and 25. Theprocess by which the terminal post members 20, 22, 24 and 25 are stakedto the mounting 12 is disclosed and claimed in the co-pendingapplication of William P. Gallagher, Anthony D. Stolle, and Paul G.Bielik, Serial No. 366,842, filed July 8, 1953. The rear ends of theposts 20, 22, 24 and 25, that project through the member 12, are adaptedto have suitable connection with various electrical devices, thesequences of operation of which it is desired to have timed.

Secured, as by riveting, to the forward ends of the posts 20, 22 and 25are the one ends of metallic switch arms 26, 28 and 30. The other endsof the switch arms 26 and 28 have, respectively, mounted theretometallic contacts 32 and 34, the latter of which cooperates with ametallic contact 36 secured to the terminal post 24. Movement of theswitch arm 28 in one direction is limited by a pin stop 38. The switcharms 26, 28 and 30 are preferably formed of spring material so that theyare free to flex during operation of the time switch mechanism.

Movement of the switch arms 26 and 28 is adapted to be effected by meansof a non-metallic revolvable member or cam 40 mounted on a shaft 42,which is journaled, at one end, in a central aperture 44 formed in themounting member 12, and, at the other end, in a central aperture 46formed in a cover member 48 having arm members 50. In the assembly ofthe switch mechanism of our present invention, lugs 52, which are formedat the ends of the arms 50 of the cover member 48, are inserted throughrectangular openings 54 formed at the sides of the mounting member 12and are then bent or twisted so as to lock the cover 48 in position. Aradial recess, having two steps 56 and 58, is formed in the peripheraltrack 60 of the aforedescribed revolvable member or cam 40.

Secured to the shaft 42, with the cam 40, is a gear 62 which has meshingengagement with a pinion 64 that projects through an aperture 66 formedin the mounting member 12. The gear 64 is drivingly connected throughreduction gearing with a slow speed synchronous electric motor, thelatter assembly being indicated generally by the reference numeral 68.The electric motor and reduction gearing unit 68 is secured by screws70, threaded into openings 71, to the mounting member 12, with theelectric motor being adapted to be placed in connection with an electricpower source through lines 72 and 74.

Associated with the switch arm 26 is a metallic floating C-shaped camfollower 76 which has a body portion 78 and arm portions 88. The switcharm 26, intermediate of the ends thereof, is formed at its oppositeedges with spaced flanges 82 that project at right angles therefrom andtoward the cam 40. Each flange 82 is formed in two parts which define asubstantially V-shaped recess 84.

The V-shaped recesses 84 floatingly and pivotally receive the G-shapedcam follower 76 when the elements of the switch mechanism are inassembled relation, as shown in Figure 2. The arm portions 80 of thefollower 76 partially envelop the switch arm 26 and intersect the planeof the latter so as to serve to limit endwise movement of the follower76 relative to the arm 26.

The body portion 78 of the follower 76 is adapted to engage the camtrack 60 for flexing the switch arms 26 and 28 away from the cam so asto thereby urge the contact 32 into engagement with the contact 34 andthe contact 34 into engagement with the contact 36.

The floating cam follower 76 is receivable in the stepped cam trackrecess to effect a quick break away of the contact 34 from engagementwith the contact 36 and the contact 32 from engagement with the contact34.

The mechanism for electrically interconnecting the non-adjacent switcharms 26 and for a predetermined interval of time comprises currentconducting means such as a metallic lever 86 pivotally mountedintermediate of its ends at 88 to the cam 40. Insulating means such as amember 90 is secured to one end of the lever 86. The insulating member90 has a portion 92 which is spaced from the adjacent end terminus ofthe lever 86 and projects beyond the edge of the latter alongside of thestep 56 of the cam track recess. The lever 86 and insulating means 90constitute lever mechanism the ends of which simultaneously engageportions of the switch arms 26 and 30 in one range of rotation of thecam 40. The insulating means 90 through a portion of said one range ofrotation serves to prevent electrical interconnection of the switch arms26 and 30; the lever 86, however, through another portion of said onerange of rotation serves to electrically interconnect the switch arms.

Since the cam follower 76 is fioatingly mounted and has limited pivotalmovement relative to the switch arm 26, the follower 76, when moved tothe cam track 60, is conditioned to be pivoted so as to point in thedirection that the cam is to be power rotated. For example, if, toinstitute a timed cycle of operation, the cam 49 is manually rotatedcounter-clockwise, from the position shown in Figures 2 and 3, thefollower 76 will initially pivot clockwise and will ascend the right endof the step 58 of the cam track recess to the landing of the step 56 asshown in Figure 4. During this manual counter-clockwise rotation of thecam 48, which is permitted because of slippage of a friction clutchemployed in the timer motor assembly 68, the contact 32 is moved intoengagement with the contact 3 for completing an electrical circuitbetween the terminal posts 28 and 22 and for establishing energizationof the timer motor assembly 68.

During further manual counter-clockwise rotation of the cam 40, thefollower 76 will engage in sequence the projecting end terminus of thelever 86 and the insulating member for pivoting the latter downwardly tothe position shown in Figure 5. At the same time, the follower 76 willsnap counter-clockwise to the solid line position shown in Figure 5 soas to point in the direction that the cam 40 is to be power rotated. Thesnap action is obtained by offsetting the pivotal axis of the follower76 from the axis of rotation of the cam 48.

Still further manual counter-clockwise rotation of the cam 40 firstcauses the follower 76 to pivot clockwise to the position shown indotted lines in Figure 5 so as to facilitate its travel up the rightincline of the step 56, and then, as the follower '76 rides up theincline and reaches the landing of the cam track 66, effects a snappivot of the follower counter-clockwise to the position shown in Figure6. At this point, the contact 34 is moved into engagement with thecontact 36 for completing an electrical circuit between the terminalposts 22 and 24. Upon completion of manual rotation of the cam, themotor assembly 68 will begin to rotate the cam clockwise.

The cam 40 may be rotated manually in a clockwise direction forinstituting a timed cycle of operation. Upon manual rotation of the cam40 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 3, thefollower 76 initially tends to assume substantially the same angle asthe left end of the step 58 of the cam track recess, thus facilitatingtravel of the follower 76 up the incline to the cam track proper.

As the follower 76 rides up the incline, the switch arm 26 is flexed andthe contact 32 is moved into engagement with contact 34 for completingan electrical circuit between the terminal posts 20 and 22 andestablishing energization of the timer motor assembly 68. Continuedmanual rotation of the cam in a clockwise direction moves the follower76 to the cam track 60 at which point, as shown in Figure 7, the contact34 is moved into engagement with the contact 36 for completing anelectrical circuit between the terminal posts 22 and 24. After the camfollower 76 has been moved to the position shown in Figure 7, the motorassembly 68 takes over clockwise rotation of the cam 48.

It should be pointed out that irrespective of the direction of rotationfor manually pre-setting the timer, the above described steps areeffected in a continuous smooth manner. It will further be understood bythose skilled in the art that the length of the timed cycle will dependupon the number of degrees that the cam 40 must be power rotated todispose the cam track follower 76 in the cam track recess after thetimer mechanism has been preset. As the cam 40 is rotated in a clockwisedirection by the motor assembly 68, the follower 76 remains inclineddownwardly toward the right, as viewed in Figure 6, thereby maintainingthe drag on the cam 40, and attendant wear, at a minimum.

The timed cycle is completed when the follower '76 enters the cam trackrecess. The follower 76, upon leaving the cam track 60 and entering thestep 56 of the cam track recess, first drops to the position shown inFigure 8 whereupon a quick break of engagement between the contacts 34and 36 is effected. In addition, the follower 76 when moving into thestep 56 engages the insulating member 90 for pivoting the lever 86counter-clockwise about its pivot point 88. This action, as will beobserved in Figure 8, causes the end of the lever 86 opposite theinsulating member 90 to pivot outwardly against the switch arm 30thereby preloading the latter through flexure so that a clockwise springforce is maintained on the lever 86 while the follower 76 is inengagement with either the insulating member 90 or the end terminus ofthe lever 86 Further rotation of the cam 40 causes the follower 76 tomove along the insulating member 90 toward the adjacent end terminus ofthe lever 86. When the follower 76 moves oil of the insulating member90, the preloaded switch arm 39 serves to snap pivot the end terminus ofthe lever 86 toward the follower so as to insure a quick make ofengagement between these elements, while the opposite end of the leverremains in engagement with the switch arm 30. At this point, anelectrical interconnection is effected between the switch arms 26 and 30through the follower 76 and the lever 86 and an auxiliary electricalcircuit is established through the timer mechanism.

Still further rotation of the cam 40 causes the cam follower 76 to moveout of engagement with the end terminus of the lever 86, at which timethe preloaded switch arm 30 serves to snap pivot the end of the leverradially outwardly and away from the follower so as to insure a quickbreak of engagement between these elements, whereupon the electricalinterconnection between the switch arms 26 and 30 is interrupted and theauxiliary circuit broken. During the interval of time that the auxiliaryor secondary circuit is closed and opened, the primary circuit embodyingthe contacts 32 and 34 remains closed. Thus operation of the auxiliarycircuit does not interfere with the operation of the primary circuit. Inthe final period of rotation of the cam 40, the follower 76 is caused toleave the step 56 and enter the step 58 of the cam track recess, atwhich time the follower pivots instantaneously for permitting the latterto drop quickly for effecting a quick break of engagement between thecontacts 32 and 34.

The above described cycles of operation may be repeated as desired. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the cycles ofoperation may be varied by changing the arcuate length of the steps ofthe cam track recess, or by increasing the number of recesses about theperiphery of the cam, or by varying the length of the end terminus ofthe lever 86 that is exposed beyond the insulating member 90.

Now, while we have shown and described what we believe to be a preferredembodiment of our present invention, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various rearrangements and modifications may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of our presentinvention.

We claim:

1. In a switch assembly, the combination of a revolvable member, levermechanism including a lever pivotally mounted intermediate of its endsto said revolvable member, said lever mechanism also includinginsulating means secured to said lever, said insulating means having aportion spaced from the end terminus of said lever and projecting beyondthe edge of the latter, first switch arm means engageable by said levermechanism, second switch arm means engageable by said lever mechanism,the end portions of said lever mechanism in one range of rotation ofsaid revolvable member serving respectively to engage simultaneouslysaid first and second switch arm means, said insulating means through aportion of said one range of rotation serving to prevent electricalinterconnection of said first and second switch arm means, and saidlever through another portion of said one range of rotation serving toelectrically interconnect said first and second switch arm means.

2. In a switch assembly, the combination of a revolvable member, a leverpivotally mounted intermediate of its ends to said revolvable member,insulating means secured to said lever, said insulating means having aportion spaced from the end terminus of said lever and projecting beyondthe edge of the latter, first switch arm means associated with saidrevolvable member, second switch arm means associated with saidrevolvable member, said first switch arm means in one range of rotationof said revolvable member engaging said insulating member for pivotingthe other end of said lever into engagement with said second switch armmeans, and said first switch arm means upon rotation of said revolvablemem ber moving from said insulatnig member to the adjacent end of saidlever means while the other end of said lever means remains inengagement with said second switch arm means whereupon said first andsecond switch arm means are electrically interconnected.

3. In a switch assembly, the combination of a revolvable member, a leverpivotally mounted intermediate of its ends to said revolvable member,insulating means secured to said lever, said insulating means having apor tion spaced from the end terminus of said lever and projectingbeyond the edge of the latter, first switch arm means associated withsaid revolvable member, a float ing cam follower associated with saidfirst switch arm means, second switch arm means associated with saidrevolvable member, said floating cam follower in one range of rotationof said revolvable member engaging said insulating member for pivotingthe other end of said lever into engagement with said second switch armmeans, and said floating cam follower upon rotation of said revolvablemember moving from said insulating member to the adjacent end of saidlever means while the other end of said lever means remains inengagement with said second switch arm means whereupon said first andsecond switch arm means are electrically interconnected.

4. In a switch assembly, the combination of a revolvable cam having atrack with an abrupt radial recess, a lever pivotally mountedintermediate of its ends to said revolvable member, insulating meanssecured to said lever, said insulating means having a portion spacedfrom the end terminus of said lever and projecting beyond the edge ofthe latter alongside of said cam track recess, a first switch armassociated with said cam, a cam follower associated with said firstswitch arm and engageable with said cam track, a second switch armassociated with said cam, said follower being receivable in said earntrack recess and engaging said insulating member for pivoting the otherend of said lever into engagement with said second switch arm, and saidcam follower upon rotation of said cam moving from said insulatingmember to the adjacent end of said lever while the other end of saidlever remains in engagement with said second switch arm whereupon saidfirst and second switch arms are electrically interconnected.

5. In a switch assembly, the combination of a revolvable cam having atrack with an abrupt radial recess, first switch arm means mounted formovement into and out of engagement with a contact, a floating camfollower associated with said first switch arm means and engageable withsaid cam forurging said first switch arm means into engagement with saidcontact for establishing a primary circuit, lever means pivotallymounted intermediate of its ends to said cam, insulating means securedto said lever means, said insulating means having a portion spaced fromthe end terminus of said lever means and projecting beyond the edge ofthe latter alongside of said cam track recess, second spring metalswitch arm means associated with said cam, said cam follower uponrotation of said cam being receivable in said cam track recess, said camfollower when moving into said cam track recess being engageable withsaid insulating means for pivoting the other end of said lever meansinto engagement with said second switch arm means thereby preloading thelatter through fiexure so that a spring force is maintained on the levermeans, said cam follower upon further rotation of said cam moving off ofsaid insulating means at which time the preloaded second switch armmeans serves to snap pivot the adjacent end of said lever means towardsaid follower so as to insure a quick make of engagement betwcenrtheseelements while the other end of .said lever means remains in engagementwith said second switch arm means whereupon said first and second switcharm means become electrically interconnected for establishing asecondary circuit, said cam follower upon still further rotation of saidcam moving outof engagementwith said lever means at which time thepreloaded second switch arm means serves to snap pivot the lever meansup and away from the follower so as to insure aquick hreakof engagementbetween these elements whereupon the electrical interconnection betweensaid first and second switch arm means is interrupted, and saidsecondary circuit being closed and opened without interfering with theoperation of the primary circuit.

6. in a switch assembly, the combination of a revolvable cam having atrack with an abrupt radial recess, first switch arm means mounted formovement into and out of engagement with a contact, second switch armmeans mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said secondswitch arm means, a cam follower associated with said second switch armmeans and engageable with said cam track for urging said second switcharm means into'engagement with said first switch arm means and saidfirst switch arm means into engagement with said contact, lever meanspivotally mounted intermediate of its ends to said cam, insulating meanssecured to said lever means, said insulating means having a portionspaced from the end terminus of said lever means and projecting beyondthe edge-of the latter alongside of said cam track recess, thirdswitcharm means associated with said cam, said cam'follower upon rotation ofsaid cam being receivable in said cam track recess to eiiect a quickbreak away of said first switch arm means from engagement with saidcontact and said second switch arm means from engagement with said firstswitch arm means, said cam follower when moving into said earn trackrecess being engageable with said insulating means for pivoting theother end of said lever means into engagement with said third switchmeans, said cam follower upon further rotation of said cam moving fromsaid insulating means to the adjacent end of said lever means while theother end of said lever means remains in engagement with said thirdswitch armmeans whereupon said second and third switch arrn means becomeelectrically interconnected, and said cam follower upon stillfurtherrotation of said cam moving out of engagement with said lever meanswhereby the electricalinterconnection between said second andthirdswitch arm means is interrupted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS lStolz May 14, 1901

